Jane Patterson
Focus on Politics for 16 June 2017
Immigration continues to be hot election year topic, and Labour has poured fuel on the fire with its new immigration policy. The leader Andrew Little says New Zealand is not prepared for the thousands… Audio
Labour wants to slash foreign student, worker numbers
The Labour Party wants to slash migrant numbers by up to 30,000 a year, cracking down on migrants entering New Zealand to do low-skilled jobs or to study low-level education courses. Video, Audio
New Zealand-Asian MPs talk crime and immigration
As we start to think about the election, what are the issues Asian New Zealand voters are most occupied with? Are they any different from other people in the community and what do they expect from the… Audio
New Zealand-Asian MPs talk crime and immigration
As we start to think about the election, what are the issues Asian New Zealand voters are most occupied with? Are they any different from other people in the community and what do they expect from the…
AudioDefence Force smoking ban may not apply to combat soldiers
Defence Force Minister Mark Mitchell says he'd be reluctant to tell soldiers in combat zones they can't smoke, despite the force's plans to go smoke-free. Video, Audio
Govt didn't treat data security breach seriously enough
The Ministry of Social Development's Chief Executive, Brendan Boyle, admits a security problem identified in January should have been taken more seriously. Video, Audio
US vows increased committment to Asia Pacific
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with the Prime Minister Bill English and the Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee in Wellington. Audio
Protestors scale crane behind Parliament for Tillerson visit
Greenpeace protesters have scaled a crane behind parliament as part of protests against the visit of US secretary of State Rex Tillertson. Our Political Editor Jane Patterson said the police and… Audio
Terror and climate issues hang over Secretary of State's visit
The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in Wellington today for the first top level meeting between the Prime Minister and a senior member of the Trump administration - and there'll be plenty… Audio
Fears govt's accommodation supplement boost could push up rent
Only two years ago the Government decided not to go ahead with a boost to the accommodation supplement because of fears landlords could pocket the extra money, and rents could be pushed up. Video, Audio
National flags up further tax cuts could be part of election campaign
Finance Minister Steven Joyce is not ruling out further tax cuts following the changes in the 2017 Budget. Audio
RNZ correspondents unpick budget reactions
Our political editor, Jane Patterson and our economics correspondent, Patrick O'Meara unpick the budget. Audio
National's Budget offers more for lower income families
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson says the Government's Budget goes into 'Labour party territory' as some of its packages are targeted towards lower income families. Video, Audio
Special coverage of the Budget 2017
Susie Ferguson presents coverage of the 2017 Budget, with expert analysis and commentary from RNZ correspondents. Audio
Boost for working families tipped in today's Budget
The Finance Minister Steven Joyce will deliver his maiden budget today at 2 pm. A strong economy is set to deliver bigger surpluses in an election year - and possibly more money in the pockets of low… Audio
Auditor-General stands down pending independent review
The Auditor-General Martin Matthews will stand down while an independent review is held into his appointment. He was the former head of the Transport Ministry while fraud was carried out by Joanne… Video, Audio
Alfred Ngaro fronts up after comments about critics' funding
Alfred Ngaro has made sweeping apologies, including to his Cabinet colleagues, after suggesting community agencies could put their funding at risk if they criticise the government. Audio
Labour's Maori MPs say they're not being stifled
The Labour Party's list process and debates over Maori prisons and charter schools have raised questions about whether its Maori MPs have a strong voice within the caucus. Jane Patterson reports. Video, Audio
Willie Jackson demanding apology, English considering audit
Labour Party list candidate Willie Jackson is demanding an apology for the threats the associate social housing minister Alfred Ngaro made against him. The Prime Minister Bill English say Alfred Ngaro… Audio
Focus on Politics for 12 May 2017
Debate about charter schools and what would happen to them under a Labour government has flared up after comments made by its list candidate and Maori campaign manager Willie Jackson. Labour has a… Audio
